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To address the exact point of the wasteful spending of money on pets.

Two points, veterinarians are being taught to prolong life in many instances (from my vet, who knows that as a breeder, I never pursue the hopeless.)

The second point being the relationship of pet animal anomalies or defects in relationship to humans.

Many years ago, I was educated (although never exposed to) a semi-lethal syndrome in the Collie which was identical to one in humans. The research done then was vital to some children and is still being researched through the breed, I believe.

In this exact vein, Schipperkes, which I have bred, owned, sold and exhibited since 1969 have had a genetic breakdown occur within (Possibly) the last 15 years. We who are ethical breeders, had the University of PA do DNA research on ALL OF OUR DOGS -- not for a fortune per dog, but costly in the case of those of us who maintain numbers. This LETHAL defect is also directly comparable to one found in human children. We (Schip breeders) have found the gene in our breed to be a simple and identifiable (through the DNA) recessive ... simple to eliminate in two generations, maximum, which is my choice (all of my dogs are clear) or to use only carriers to normals and then check DNA on all offspring.

This is not a waste of money either from the standpoint of an animal person (this one (ME) does know the difference) -- nor from the standpoint of the possibility of identifying this lethal (neuro, muscular at first showing) gene and its location on the DNA string in humans.